9-29-18 The First 15

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The Weekly Overview
Throughout Scripture we see countless examples of God meeting with man and countless lives being transformed as the result. These examples are in Scripture to stir our faith and fill us with a desire to meet with our Creator. When we read about the life of David, we should be filled with a longing to live as he did, centered around meeting with our heavenly Father. When we read about Gideon or Moses, we should long to know our God as they did. When we read about Jesus coming down to us or his heart for the woman caught in adultery, we should respond by pursuing encounters with our Savior. And when we read of Pentecost and Jesus’ second coming, we should seek out the fullness of God’s presence available to us on this earth in preparation for the age that is to come. May your heart be filled with a wholehearted desire to pursue meeting with God this week.
The Scripture
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
-  Acts 2:1-4
The Worship Experience
Artist: Elevation Worship feat. Chris Brown
Song: Fullness
The Devotional
In the miraculous and powerful event of Pentecost, we see God’s heart to not only dwell among us, but within us. We’ve been afforded more intimacy with God than we have fully grasped. The God of Pentecost dwells within us right now as believers, ready to equip us and empower us for a life of powerful impact and restored relationship. Acts 2:1-4 says,

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Scripture tells us that although those in attendance spoke many different languages, all heard those filled with the Holy Spirit declaring “in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). And upon being filled with the Holy Spirit afresh, Peter begins to share the gospel with those present. Acts 2:41 tells us, “Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Peter, who denied Jesus, begins his powerful, courageous ministry of sharing the gospel with all those who would listen after being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” This passage is better translated, “Be being filled with the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is our gateway into the fullness of life available to us in Christ. He’s the one who reveals to us the truth of Scripture. He’s the one who speaks to our hearts from the mouth of God. He’s the one who makes us aware of God’s presence. And he’s the one who empowers us to do the good works set before us before the foundation of the earth. Without relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will miss out on the incredible life afforded to us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

God wants to empower you to impact the earth the way the disciples did. His plan for you doesn’t involve that which is fleeting and temporal. At the end of your life, will you look back and be thankful for the way you said yes to walking with the Holy Spirit, or will your life be filled with works that won’t outlive you? Don’t waste this life being satisfied with less than what is available to you. Choose today to be filled with the Holy Spirit again. Choose to pursue wholehearted relationship with him. And say yes to him at every decision that you might reveal to the world the wealth of relationship available to you in the Holy Spirit.
The Prayer
1. Meditate on the importance of being filled with the Spirit. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to grow in your relationship with the God who dwells within you.

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today. Ask him to reveal his nearness to you that you might grow in your knowledge of him. Tell him that you want greater relationship with him.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live today free from sin and in total pursuit of God’s will being done on the earth through your life. Ask him to give you a clear witness about what it is you should and shouldn’t do. Commit yourself to follow his perfect guidance today.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
No matter where you work, where you live, or what your past is, you can live in total communion with the Holy Spirit. His plans extend far beyond what your job is or which family you’re in. He longs to bring the kingdom to earth everywhere you go. He longs to fill you with love and grace for all those around you that you might carry the atmosphere of the kingdom. And he longs to lead you into a continually greater awareness of his love and presence in your life. May your day be marked by joy and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Extended Reading: Acts 2

Craig DenisonCRAIG DENISON is the author and founder of First15, a daily devotional guiding tens of thousands of believers into a fresh experience with God's presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.

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